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The Process is simPle All aspects of a site-cured UV floor finish are the same as with a traditional sand-and-finish scenario, except for two major differences: The final clear coat must be a special water-based UV-activated product, and once that UV coating is dry to the touch (typically in one to two hours), it must be exposed to high-powered UV lighting equipment in order for it to cure. The righT finish As the technology gains a stronger foothold, more manufacturers are getting on board with their versions of UV coatings. I’ve tried every brand I can get my hands on, and they vary. In general, the big tradeoff seems to be ease of workability vs. hardness of the cured coating. In short, the most durable finishes require a coating that’s a bit harder to level out during application. For this job, we used the General Finishes product, which is high on the durability scale and therefore more challenging to apply. The company recommends that it be applied with a T-bar, but we’ve had better luck with a floor-finish roller and a careful touch. The righT Tools UV coatings dry by evaporation but cure only when exposed to intense UV light. The standard tools for flooring work are a handheld unit (right) and a rolling unit (left). The handheld unit is used for detail work, reaching close-quarters areas, and creating a cured spot so that the larger rolling unit can be set onto the floor. Most of the job depends on the rolling unit, which has a frontmounted UV light, so the unit creates its own cured path. The process is just like mowing a lawn, but with a stricter pace. If the unit is pushed too fast, the finish will not cure properly; if pushed too slowly, it’s prone to bubbling and burn marks. www.finehomebuilding.com december 2016/january 2017 59